Thank you for broaching this subject! I’ve been to Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai, and, yes, there are cats (and roosters!) everywhere.

That being said, however, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser recently reported that Hawaiian nene (goose) numbers have increased to the point they will be downgraded from an endangered species to a threatened species. The difference?

“As a threatened species, the nene still needs protection from ongoing threats, including predators such as mongooses and cats, as well as habitat destruction and collisions with vehicles.”

But many readers probably glossed over the last part because God forbid should THEY take any responsibility for habitat destruction and species decimation… But if you look at all the houses and hotels and condos and stores and restaurants, it’s obvious that humans have done more damage to Hawaii than feral cats ever could.

TNR would work perfectly if there were severe penalties for dumping cats that were strictly enforced and pet cats by law had to be neutered and chipped in wildlife sensitive areas. Irresponsible people cause the problem and cats and wildlife suffer the consequences.

I suggest neutering the humans first. Not to be that person, but humans outnumber cats well over 4 to 1, and our species has a much greater environmental impact. Sorry, but we have no business trying to “fix” anything but ourselves. We’ve done enough already.